Collapsible form for arches.



W. POPENDICK,

COLLAPSIBLE FORM FOR ARCHES. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2. l9l8- 1,284,766 Patented N 12, 1918.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT GFFItlE. i

WILLIAM PoPnNnIcK, or DECATUR, MICHIGAN.

COLLAPSIIBLE FORM FOR Aricnns.

useful Improvements in Collapsible Forms for Arches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to collapsible forms for arches, and the object is to provide a device for use in connection with the construction of arches of brick, stone, or concrete, and of practically any size required for a given purpose.

A further object is to provide a device, or form, for use in the construction of arches for buildings, bridges, and the like, which shall include a plurality of pivotally connected sections, with means connected with each pivotal mounting between adjacent sections and a bolt or the like passing through a slot in a third pivoted section, whereby adjustment and freedom of movement is secured.

A. still further object is to provide a plurality of pivotally connected sections each having one side thereof cut away adjacent to its ends and each provided with a central longitudinal slot, the pivoted sections being reversely arranged with reference to one another, and a curved connecting bar secured to the pivotal mounting between two adjacent sections and having adjustable connection with a third section.

(Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 is a view in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a plan View.

Figs. 3 and 4: show the links separated.

In carrying out my invention I provide a plurality of pivotally connected membersv 10 each constituting a voussoir and each of these members being similarly formed, but in the series constituting a given arch or form, the members are reversely arranged.

Each member 10 is cut away at the ends on one side of the body portion, these cut away portions being designated 12 and 13, and each member 10 is provided with a longitudinal slot 1a through which a pivotal member passes.

Members 10 are so arranged that the cut Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed much 2, i918. S eria1No. 219,988.

Patented Nov. 12, 1915;.

away portions of adjacent} ii embers are'located on opposite sides, thereby forming a substantlally continuous structure, the respective side portions or surfaces of which are in the same plane throughout..

The members 10 are pivotally conmactedby means, of pins. or bolts provided with a heads and secured by mea'ns of nuts 16. -A curved connectlng bar 18'is pivotally'secured at one end by one of the bolts lo and extends to a point midway between the ends of an adjacent pivoted member 10 being there slidably retained in position by a bolt 20 passing through a slot 21 and secured by a nut 22. A plurality of bars 18 are provided on each side of the arch proper formed by the members 10, and these bars 18 are so arranged that they overlap, in asense,-that is two adjacent bars 18.0n a given side of the arch are located so that their approaching ends are intermediate of the ends of a given curved bar 18 on the opposite side of the structure formed by members 10. The elements 18 each comprise bars having deflected end portions 5, the sides of the bars being cut away longitudinally as shown at 6 providing for the heads of the bolts 15, the cooperation being shown in Fig. 2. The complete structure for a given arch may therefore be shaped to produce the curvature desired for a given arch, and when the required curvature is secured the nuts and bolts will of course be tightened for the purpose of making the elements rigid. By taking out any two bolts the form may be collapsed.

The end members of the structure described are designated respectively 25 and 26, the upper ends having pivotal connection with adjacent members 10, and the curved bars 18 having connection with these end members in substantially the manner already described. A brace or chord for the arch is designated 28.

The construction above described may be inclosed Within an arch member 30 of fiat or band iron secured by means of any suitable radially extending device 31 engaged by the bolts passing through the voussoir members.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, a plurality of pivotally connected members each provided with a substantially central longitudinal slot, 9. bar connected with the pivotal mounting of certain of said members, and a pin passing through the opposite end of the bar and through the slot of an ad'acent pivoted member.

2. in a device of the class described, a plurality of pivotally connected members, a pin efiecting such pivotal connection, a third pivoted member secured to one of those first named, a pin for pivotally securing said third member, each of said members being provided with central longitudinal slots, a curved bar connected with the pivotal mounting of the members first named, means connecting the opposite end of the bar and passing through the slot of the third pivoted member, and a curved bar secured to the pivotal connection. between the third member and one of the members Copies of this patent may be obtained for first named and adapted for pivotal and slidable connection at its opposite end with an adjacent or fourth pivoted member.

3. In a device of the class described, a plurality of pivotally connected members each being cut away on a given side at points adjacent to lts ends, adjacent pivoted members being reversely VVILLIALE POPENDIOK.

five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. 0.

arranged, pins for effecting the pivotal connection, each of 

